2013 Association of American Publisher’s Annual Professional and Scholarly Publishing Conference
This was the official website for 2013 Association of American Publisher’s annual Professional and Scholarly Publishing conference February 6th through the 8th in Washington, D.C. The event, titled “The (R)evolution of Value: Building Collaboration, Innovation and Sustainability”, featured more than 30 industry experts, leading a number of sessions throughout the three-day event.
Content is from the site's archived pages.
ICYMI: I attended this event as editor of The Taliesin, a small philosophically oriented magazine that started as an experiment at Brown University. We were considering the republishing of an online post by Bob Sakayama and Rev Sale titled "In Search Of Nothing" which was a clever in depth look at the concept of nothing with a modern twist and a critical view of how Google was handling this term. It turns out that we were not alone in recognizing the interest in this post, and although we tend to stick to traditional publishing outlets for content, we were about to make an exception for this cleverly conceived work of modern literature. I found 2 other attendees who had read this work and encouraged me to run with it. I am both enthused as well as a bit concerned that it may already be too well distributed, but my colleagues convinced me to take the leap. Bravo for the supportive nature of this conference.
For information on the PSP 2018 Annual Conference go to: http://publishers.org/programs-events/psp-2018-annual-conference
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The Association of American Publishers (AAP) represents nearly four hundred member organizations including major commercial, digital learning, education and professional publishers alongside independents, non-profits, university presses and scholarly societies.
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2013 PSP ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Ritz Carlton Hotel, Washington, DC
02/06 — 02/08/2013
2013-2-6 10:00:00
SPECIAL: Early Bird Discount Pricing
Offer available only for a limited time.

2013 Conference Planning Committee
Dan Duncan (McGraw-Hill)
Scott Grillo (McGraw-Hill)
Darrell Gunter (Gunter Media Group)
Darla Henderson (ACS)
Rolf Janke (SAGE)
John Jenkins (CQ Press)
Mark Johnson (Highwire)
Roy Kaufman (CCC)
Patrick Kelly (John Wiley & Sons)
Thane Kerner (Silverchair)
Susan King (American Chemical Society)
Audrey Melkin (Atypon)
John Purcell (TAEUS)
David Weinreich (Weinreich Strategic Group)
AAP Staff: Sara Pinto, John Tagler
Convergence:
Managing Content and Media in a Socially Connected Environment.
Wednesday, February 6th, 2013
Ritz Carlton Hotel
Washington, DC
2013 Professional Development Committee Pre-Conference
Communicating the Value of Publishing:
Strategies for a Volatile World
Wednesday, February 6th, 2013
9:00am-3:00pm
Ritz Carlton Hotel
Washington, DC
Featured Speakers
Harrison Coerver
President,Harrison Coerver & Associates
Author of Race for Relevance: 5 Radical changes for Associations
Madeleine Jacobs
Executive Director & CEO, American Chemical Society
James Prendergast
Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, IEEE
David Worlock
Chief Research Fellow, Outsell Inc
Blaise Simqu
President & CEO, SAGE Publications, Inc.
Steve Smith
President & CEO, Wiley
Howard Bauchner
MD - Editor in Chief, JAMA and The JAMA Network, AMA
Randy Schekman
Editor-in-Chief, eLife
Benjamin Shaw
China and Global Director,Edanz Group
Patrick F. Sullivan
Strategic Partner Development Manager , RightsFlow,
Google
Brian Erwin
CEO,Slicebooks
H. Frederick Dylla
Executive,American Institute of Physics
AAP History
http://publishers.org/about/aap-history
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) is the largest trade organization representing commercial, digital learning and education and professional publishers alongside independents, non-profits, university presses and scholarly societies. We represent the publishing industry’s legislative, regulatory, and trade priorities regionally, nationally and worldwide. These include copyright and related intellectual property rights, piracy and enforcement strategies, digital growth and related business models, funding for education and libraries, fair tax and trade policies, and freedom of expression and literacy debates.
The association creates programs, services and member benefits focused on four sectors—Trade, Higher Education, PreK-12, and Professional and Scholarly publishers.
A Federation of Diverse and Common Interests
Since its formation in 1970, AAP has been the pre-eminent advocacy association for the publishing industry. Throughout its history AAP has shaped, influenced and contributed to state and federal legislation and regulatory policies that affect publishers, their products, and the reading public. In the early 1970s, postal rates and mass market paperback distribution were critical issues; today global trade and digital rights top the news. AAP consistently advocates on behalf of the publishing industry both at home and abroad, most notably in the areas of copyright protection, freedom of expression, and the advancement of literacy and education.
A Lasting Legacy
In its efforts to create a free and sustainable environment for publishers, authors, booksellers, and readers, AAP has left its mark on the world. With the formation of AAP’s International Freedom to Publish (IFTP) Committee in 1975, it became the first organized group of publishers formed specifically to defend and expand the freedom of written communication around the world. Since then, the IFTP has:
- Sent fact-finding missions to Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia, Cuba, Egypt, South Africa, the former Soviet Union, and other countries where free expression is threatened. The South Africa mission, undertaken during the darkest days of apartheid, resulted in “The Starvation of Young Black Minds,” a report condemning the inclusion of books in the cultural boycott against South Africa.
- Lobbied U.S. and foreign government officials on behalf of persecuted publishers and writers, including Ragip Zarakolu, Tragyal, Liu Xiaobo.
- Organized exhibits and seminars in countries where freedom of expression is under siege, including “America Through American Eyes,” four legendary exhibits at the Moscow International Book Fair during the height of the Cold War, and the “Libros USA” Exhibit in Havana in 1995.
A sampling of AAP advocacy efforts include:
- Participating as a plaintiff or friend-of-the-court in nearly every major First Amendment free speech case involving government censorship or other regulation of publication over the past four decades.
- Actively lobbying Congress and the Executive Branch to maintain adequate protections and effective enforcement in their current reviews of federal copyright laws.
- Obtaining a statutory exemption from expensive and unnecessary lead-testing requirements for children's books under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
- Achieving a major legislative victory with passage of the Securing the Protection of our Enduring and Established Constitutional Heritage (SPEECH) Act, a federal statute that makes foreign libel judgments unenforceable in U.S. courts if they were obtained without due process and free speech protections comparable to those available in the United States.
- Actively lobbying on state and federal levels to help shape educational policy by engaging with policymakers, faculty, and students through advocacy, committee work and forums.
AAP’s Washington D.C. office is the industry's front line on matters of federal legislation and government policy, keeping AAP members apprised of the latest developments so they can build consensus positions on national public policy issues. Conversely, our government affairs professionals serve as the industry's voice in advocating for the views and concerns of American publishers on questions of national public policy.
In addition to Washington D.C., AAP has an office in New York City.
More Background on PSP2013Conference.com
Association of American Publishers (AAP): A Pillar of the Publishing Industry
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) is a prominent trade organization that represents a vast network of publishing houses in the United States. This collective includes major commercial publishers, university presses, scholarly societies, and digital learning organizations. Since its inception in 1970, AAP has been instrumental in shaping publishing policies, protecting intellectual property, and promoting literacy and freedom of expression.
AAP’s Professional and Scholarly Publishing (PSP) Division
One of AAP's key subdivisions is the Professional and Scholarly Publishing (PSP) Division, which caters to publishers producing materials in diverse fields such as science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and the humanities. This division focuses on advancing the interests of its members by addressing challenges in the industry and fostering collaboration among publishers, academics, and professional organizations.
Goals and Objectives
The PSP Division emphasizes several key goals:
- Advocacy: Advocates for policies that support copyright protections, digital rights management, and global intellectual property standards.
- Professional Development: Offers training and resources to enhance the skills of industry professionals.
- Standards and Best Practices: Promotes ethical standards and best practices in publishing to ensure quality and integrity.
The Annual PSP Conference
The PSP Annual Conference is one of the division’s marquee events. Held every year, the conference is a platform for professionals to discuss emerging trends, innovative technologies, and collaborative opportunities in scholarly publishing.
The 2013 PSP Conference: A Snapshot
The 2013 edition of the PSP Annual Conference took place at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, D.C., from February 6 to 8. With the theme "The (R)evolution of Value: Building Collaboration, Innovation, and Sustainability," the event brought together over 30 esteemed speakers from across the publishing and academic worlds.
Featured Topics and Speakers
The conference covered critical topics such as digital transformation in publishing, the future of open access, and intellectual property challenges. Notable speakers included:
- Madeleine Jacobs, CEO of the American Chemical Society, who discussed innovation in scientific publishing.
- Steve Smith, CEO of Wiley, who addressed strategies for managing content in a digitally connected world.
- Randy Schekman, Editor-in-Chief of eLife and a Nobel laureate, who explored the challenges of maintaining quality in open-access journals.
The PROSE Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Publishing
Established in 1976, the PROSE Awards, managed by the PSP Division, honor outstanding achievements in professional and scholarly publishing. These awards recognize books, journals, and digital products that significantly advance knowledge in their respective fields.
The R.R. Hawkins Award
The PROSE Awards’ highest honor, the R.R. Hawkins Award, is bestowed upon the most exceptional work across all entries. This accolade underscores the transformative power of publishing in advancing intellectual discourse. For example, in 2023, the award was given to Spiderweb Capitalism: How Global Elites Exploit Frontier Markets by Kimberly Kay Hoang, published by Princeton University Press.
AAP’s Advocacy and Global Reach
AAP plays a crucial advocacy role at both national and international levels. The organization engages in lobbying efforts to influence legislation on copyright protection, piracy prevention, and educational funding. Its contributions include:
- Influencing copyright laws to protect authors and publishers in the digital age.
- Supporting literacy initiatives and opposing censorship to promote freedom of expression.
International Advocacy Efforts
Through its International Freedom to Publish (IFTP) Committee, AAP has made significant strides in advocating for free expression worldwide. Notable efforts include:
- Organizing fact-finding missions in regions where freedom of expression is under threat.
- Lobbying for the release of persecuted writers and publishers, such as Liu Xiaobo and Ragip Zarakolu.
- Hosting exhibits like "America Through American Eyes" during the Cold War to promote cultural understanding.
Press and Media Coverage
AAP's initiatives and events frequently garner media attention for their impact on the publishing industry and intellectual freedom. The PROSE Awards, in particular, have been celebrated in major outlets for highlighting the importance of academic publishing in global knowledge dissemination.
Cultural and Social Significance
AAP's work extends beyond the publishing industry, influencing broader societal values. Its emphasis on freedom of expression, ethical publishing, and educational access resonates with the global academic and professional communities. By advocating for diverse voices and equitable access to knowledge, AAP contributes to a more informed and inclusive society.
Challenges in the Digital Era
The publishing industry faces several challenges in the digital age, including:
- Piracy and Intellectual Property Theft: AAP actively works to combat these issues by lobbying for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
- Open Access vs. Traditional Models: The shift toward open access publishing poses financial and operational challenges for publishers.
- Technological Innovation: Adapting to new technologies while maintaining quality and credibility is a constant balancing act.
Examples of Success
- Advocacy for Educational Publishing: AAP’s efforts have shaped policies ensuring funding for libraries and educational institutions.
- Digital Transformation: Members of the PSP Division have pioneered innovative digital platforms, such as interactive e-books and adaptive learning tools, which enhance user engagement.
The Association of American Publishers and its PSP Division remain at the forefront of the publishing industry. Through advocacy, professional development, and recognition programs like the PROSE Awards, AAP supports the advancement of knowledge and the sustainability of the publishing ecosystem. The organization’s commitment to intellectual freedom and innovation ensures its continued relevance in a rapidly evolving world.
This legacy, coupled with its ongoing initiatives, underscores AAP’s pivotal role in fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and accessibility in professional and scholarly publishing.